In recent years we’ve seen a huge uptick in the sales of boxed sets for books, especially eBooks. I’ve been part of half a dozen MABS—that’s multi-author box sets—over the last few years myself, and as a reader I love those because I can get to sample new-to-me names. But today, I’m talking about single author boxed sets. You may have heard the term omnibus edition to describe them.
There’s the series boxed set, like mine launching March 9, which is an entire series bundled up together in one file for a slightly discounted purchase price. Some authors prefer to box up a longer series into 2-3 smaller sets (i.e. books 1-3 separately from 4-6, and so forth).
I love series boxed sets, personally. It’s nice to have a complete collection knowing I haven’t missed one of the books in the series. And, you know, sometimes we’re waiting months or even years for an author to add a new book, so getting the complete series all at once eliminates that painful angst of waiting between books or *gasp* forgetting what happened previously.
Then there’s one trend I’ve been seeing recently in which a prolific author takes series starters (books 1) from multiple series and putting them together. Or they build a set around a certain theme or trope, regardless of series (beach, snow, holiday, career field, etc.). In my forays as a reader, I’ve discovered a few pros and cons to these different kinds of sets.
Pros: Getting to sample a variety of an author’s work, enjoying a common theme while exploring new characters, usually some form of discounted price and/or bonus material
Cons: Sometimes you’ve already read one of the books in the set, can be confusing
What say you? I’d love to hear your pros/cons to boxed sets from a single author. Do you usually buy them (and if so, what went into your decision)? What kind of boxes appeal to you most?
All commenters will be entered into a drawing for one eBook edition of my upcoming Everyday Love series boxed set, complete with bonus materials. Winner will be chosen at random by the end of this week.
Be sure to check out some of these boxed sets from our other awesome InspyRomance authors:
- Elizabeth Maddrey’s Operation Romance: Books 1-4, available in eBook
- The Riverbend Romances by Valerie Comer, containing 5 novellas and also comes in a paperback edition
- Andrea Boyd’s 3-book Walden Beach series
- 6 small-town romances from Mandi Blake in her Unfailing Love complete series
- One of my favorite families of brothers, The Spark Brothers by Liwen Y. Ho
- Toni Shiloh’s Freedom Lake series (though I am anxiously awaiting Maple Run in a box!)
- Vacation Sweethearts: Books 1-3 by Jan Thompson
I did have one more question for you before I sign off and make myself another pot of coffee before settling in to write. What kinds of things do you like to see in a series boxed set? Do you expect just the books themselves, or are you interested in exclusive bonus material? Timelines? Recipes? Sneak previews of related books? The story-behind-the-story? Something else? I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts on what makes a box extra special.
Be sure to comment so you’ll be entered in that giveaway I mentioned!
Until next time,
I agree with Debra boxsets are so nice but as I only do print books then a lot of boxsets just come in Kindle Have a great day!
Bummer! It is difficult. I made the transition from paper to ebook several years ago after swearing I never would. Those words sure were tasty though, and I have no regrets. LOL!
I generally enjoy multi author box sets quite a lot, but the Omni style box sets sometimes overwhelm me. I borrow and read from KU and seeing a read time of 11-16 hours can be daunting when I know I’ll be reading in small snatches of time in between all my homeschooling/mom/wife daily tasks. I haven’t read a box set that includes books from various series, but that’s mainly because the authors I know who’ve done this have included books I’ve already read and I don’t tend to reread books. I’m not usually tempted to read new to me authors this way either because I prefer reading a full series before starting a new one.
I totally understand being overwhelmed! I usually stick to novellas and short novels for just that reason!! I love the feeling of finishing a book in a day or two. If it takes me longer than a week, I’m like UGH! Get done with it already! HAHA!
Yea for boxsets of a whole series (if possible). I’m not really into themed boxsets, but I’ve seen some themes that made me consider buying them (usually ones that feature tropes I like). Nay for boxsets of first in series because I get hooked fast and I’d find myself wanting the next one in the series, lol. And while I’ve seen authors add an extended epilogue to some of their series boxsets, I much prefer for any kind of extra content to go either at the end of each book (recipes) or as perks for subscribing to an NL.
LOL Excellent points on all counts, Priscila!
I actually like boxed sets. I tend to have the need to complete things so if I get one book in the series I need to get them all. Boxed sets are more economical for me.
I completely agree, Catrina!
I have only bought a couple of box sets, and only as print books.
Generally I want to know that I like other books by the author.
It’s frustrating if you have previously bought the first book in the series and then the rest are only available in a box set.
On the other hand, at least if you are buying a boxed set you know you are getting the whole series.
I only read print books, so having books only available in e-book format means I miss out on some great books by favourite authors.
The most annoying are the series where there is an e-book novella in between print books, so when you get back to the series you feel like you’ve missed something in the story
YES! The frustrations you’ve noted are definitely annoying.
I love boxsets because you get the full series of the books & enjoy the stories together instead of having to wait for new books.
You are so right, Amy!
Boxed sets are nice because they usually have books related by theme or series and it’s a special bundle.
I love a good book bargain, don’t you?
The only con that I have with box sets is that they are usually only on Kindle. I am a person who enjoys holding a book in my hands either paperback or hardback. The pros are that you a reader can get more than one book at a lower cost. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
Bless you too! It is rather unfortunate for paper book readers that sets are harder to come by.
The only boxed set I have ever read is LOTR. If I had a complete boxed set, I might just get throught it but, probably not. If I did, I would have to read otherthings in between. I need to switch genres so I don’t get bored.
Fair enough! To each her own, I say!
I’m good with box sets as long as the stories can be read as a stand alone. I tend to read them out of order lol
I strongly prefer series that can be read standalone. I love to get lost in an author’s world, but I want to follow different characters through it. I can’t do sagas anymore. Curse of a short attention span and too many demands on it, I think! ha ha!
Boxed sets (except book 1 for a range of series) are great. I don’t expect extras, though often there is a sample of another book by the author. I have trouble with my memory so being able to read the complete series is wonderful because *gasp* absolutely I will forget the first books and have to reread them before the next one.
I’m the same way. I read too many books to keep them all straight until I pick one up and have to ask a dozen times, “haven’t I read this before?”